![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
04-03-2022, 04:00 PM
Kenny Chee
Senior Tech Correspondent
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
SINGAPORE - From next month (April), consumers and small businesses unable to settle disputes with their telcos will be able to finally do so without going to court.
Called the Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme (ADR), this option is designed to address long-drawn disputes between customers and telecommunication and media service providers. Although rare, prolonged and complex cases can span more than three to four months.
Also, consumers and small businesses might not have the means to resolve disputes with much larger companies, such as having less bargaining power and the telcos not acceding.
......
Developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Singapore Mediation Centre, disputes could be settled in at most 2.5 months with ADR.
......
The authority said that, on average, it received around 2,500 telco-related complaints a year for 2017 to 2021.
......
Under ADR, service providers bear 50 to 90 per cent of the fees for the dispute resolution. Consumers pay the remaining amount, which ranges from as low as $10 to $375.
......
If the dispute had gone to court instead of through ADR, the legal fees could be much higher since lawyers can charge hundreds of dollars on an hourly basis.
More details at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/p...e-in-april
Senior Tech Correspondent
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
SINGAPORE - From next month (April), consumers and small businesses unable to settle disputes with their telcos will be able to finally do so without going to court.
Called the Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme (ADR), this option is designed to address long-drawn disputes between customers and telecommunication and media service providers. Although rare, prolonged and complex cases can span more than three to four months.
Also, consumers and small businesses might not have the means to resolve disputes with much larger companies, such as having less bargaining power and the telcos not acceding.
......
Developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Singapore Mediation Centre, disputes could be settled in at most 2.5 months with ADR.
......
The authority said that, on average, it received around 2,500 telco-related complaints a year for 2017 to 2021.
......
Under ADR, service providers bear 50 to 90 per cent of the fees for the dispute resolution. Consumers pay the remaining amount, which ranges from as low as $10 to $375.
......
If the dispute had gone to court instead of through ADR, the legal fees could be much higher since lawyers can charge hundreds of dollars on an hourly basis.
More details at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/p...e-in-april
